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Campers get athlete experience in annual Spartan Fantasy Football Camp

June 11, 2013
	<p>Wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel talks with other Spartan Fantasy Football Camp participants, June 11, 2013, at Spartan Stadium. The two-day event allowed <span class="caps">MSU</span> football fans to tour <span class="caps">MSU</span> facilities and practice at Spartan Stadium. Justin Wan/The State News</p>

Wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel talks with other Spartan Fantasy Football Camp participants, June 11, 2013, at Spartan Stadium. The two-day event allowed MSU football fans to tour MSU facilities and practice at Spartan Stadium. Justin Wan/The State News

Photo by Justin Wan | The State News

Lifelong Spartan fan Allen Klein has participated in the annual Spartan Fantasy Football Camp since its creation in 2006.

His experience has taught him the game is much harder than it looks on TV.

“We’ve made some good, lasting friendships,” Klein said. “(It’s a) very complicated game ­— it’s got all kind of things going on, but it’s a lot of fun.”

Klein along with other campers of various ages broke a sweat yesterday at the camp — running drills on the field, building relationships with the coaches and former Spartan players and getting a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes.

Co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner said it’s great to talk with the campers.

“I think it’s good for alumni and supporters or people who are just interested to come out and spend two days hanging around coaches,” Warner said. “They are full of questions about football and what goes on behind the scenes, recruiting and so forth.”

The camp began yesterday with a traditional pregame walk the MSU players and coaches take from Kellogg Center to the stadium each game day.

Offensive line coach Mark Staten, who has been involved with the fantasy coaching staff for the last seven years, said it’s fun working with the campers — especially those who return year after year.

“You really get to know them (and) show them some little things that they are maybe not aware of,” Staten said. “We have a lot of fun with them (and) we get to know them a lot of time personally.”

Seventy-two-year-old Spartan alumnus Dick Fullmer from Royal Oak, Mich., was the oldest participant in the group, but had no trouble keeping up with the younger campers.

“The camaraderie with all the coaches and doing all the drills, it’s great.” Fullmer said. “This is my eighth year (and) I haven’t missed a year since it started.”

Former MSU safety Otis Wiley was a guest coach and said the campers work just as hard and get a similar experience as the players would in a typical practice.

“It’s good to give back, just knowing that I still have a connection (from) when I was playing here,” Wiley said. “It’s all about community and we’re family.”

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